Bells are ringing — again

Wentworth Park clock is making music after a lengthy silence

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Thursday, Dec. 9 — Music is in the air. At least it is near Wentworth Park indowntown Lansing.

Across from the Radisson, on the corner of Michigan andGrand, sits a 31-foot steam-powered clock, which — for the past two years — hasbeen rather quiet.

The clock tower was donated by the Rotary Club of Lansing in1997, but since the Lansing Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project was workingin the area the electricity had to be cut off to the corner. Thus, the clocktower’s 49 bell electronic carillon has been out of commission.

“The time it spent dormant really didn’t bode well for theclock,” said Suzy Carter, executive director of the Lansing Area SafetyCouncil.

The carillon in the tower had to be replaced. The original thatwas taken out was about 24 inches by 24 inches, and the new system is onlyabout the size of a shoebox.

As of Nov. 22, the clock has its power restored and the new carillonhas been installed. The clock now chimes on the hour and the half-hour from 8a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. on weekends.

The clock also plays a song twice a day, at 12:05 p.m. and5:05 p.m. The carillon can play over 10,000 different songs, ranging fromholiday music to patriotic tunes to Beatles hits.

The clock will continue playing holiday tunes for the restof the season. Carter hopes to keep the theme music running throughout theyear, love songs for Valentine’s Day, and Irish songs around St. Patrick’s Day.

The tower itself has four clock faces, three of which stayin sync fairly well and one that tends to rebel, as Carter says.

“This tower is a continual work in progress,” Carter said.“But it’s a really nice aspect of downtown.”

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